Green Valley girls golfer seeks Las Vegas Open championship
Jenny Hahn is hoping to move up one spot from her last tournament.
If she can, the junior-to-be from Henderson, who is home-schooled but competes for Green Valley, will capture one of junior golf’s most prestigious events: the Las Vegas Open.
Hahn finished second at last week’s PING Phoenix Junior, two shots behind Kyung Kim.
Hahn hopes to turn the tables in the 54-hole American Junior Golf Association event that runs Tuesday through Thursday at Anthem Country Club. Several current pros, including Tiger Woods, Chris Riley and Cristie Kerr, have won the Las Vegas Open.
"I think my chances are good," said Hahn, who finished 10th to champion Sunshine Baraquiel last year at Anthem. "I’m hitting the ball more consistently. I’ve got my putting stroke back. I think my game’s better in all aspects from a year ago, and my confidence level is high."
Despite being home-schooled, Hahn is eligible to play high school golf. She was a member of Green Valley’s 2009 Class 4A state championship team and won the individual title.
Her Green Valley teammate, Alexandra Kaui, is also in the 21-player field. Kaui and Hahn have combined for eight top-10 finishes in sanctioned AJGA events during their careers.
"She’s a really good player," Hahn said of Kaui. "She’s definitely capable of winning. It would be great if we were to be paired in the final group the last day."
The last local girl to win the event was Henderson’s Christine Fernandez in 2002. Stephanie Keever is the only other local female winner, having won in 1997.
Despite living in Henderson, Hahn has played Anthem only once. Her home course is Legacy Golf Club.
"I think it could be a factor, not having a true home-course advantage," she said. "But it helps having played it, and it’s the kind of course where if you position the ball in the fairway and you hit the greens, you can do well."
The 44-player boys field also has a local presence in Tad Darland, a member of Coronado’s 2010 Class 4A state championship team.
Darland placed sixth in the 2009 Las Vegas Open, which was won by A.J. McInerney, Darland’s Coronado teammate. Darland will try to become the third consecutive local player to win the event, following McInerney and Max Marsico in 2008.
Other local boys competing are Kenden Slattery (Coronado), Taylor Montgomery (Foothill) and Zane Thomas (Arbor View).
Play begins at 7:30 a.m. each day, and admission is free.